MEMC Pasadena, Inc. produces ultra-pure granular polysilicon, the base material for the manufacture of silicon wafers. Granular polysilicon provides tremendous cost and productivity advantages over traditional “chunk” polysilicon because it allows us to achieve large charge and re-charge crystal growth. Monosilane and SiF4 gas, a by-product of the granular polysilicon manufacturing process, are also produced at Pasadena.
Location
Pasadena, Texas - USA (10 Miles Southeast from downtown Houston, Texas)
Ownership
100% MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.
Products
Polysilicon: granular and powder/fines; Sodium Aluminum Tetrafluoride, Silane and Silicon Tetrafluoride (SiF4) gas
Quality/Safety Certifications
Quality Certifications; Safety Certifications
Background
In 1987, after several years of research with MEMC, Ethyl Corporation built a granular polysilicon and silane manufacturing plant on the grounds of their sprawling chemical complex in Pasadena, Texas. Ethyl then consolidated all of its specialty chemical business into Albemarle Corporation in 1992. MEMC purchased the facility in 1995 and renamed the operation "MEMC Pasadena, Inc." Soon after the acquisition, MEMC expanded production. The facility is now a major world supplier of semiconductor and solar-grade polysilicon and semiconductor-grade silane.
Pasadena Map (PDF)